Hassad: Morocco to Bolster Internal Security Measures

Morocco, which expressed on many occasions its concern over the number of its citizens fighting in Syria and Iraq, announced on Saturday a new plan named “Hadar” to bolster its security measures. Morocco has lately, frequently reported the arrest of jihadists and recruiters for diverse extremist groups.

Moroccan Interior Minister Mohamed Hassad said that the new measures will be deployed progressively to “confront the different threats facing the kingdom.”

He added that the measures would cover “vulnerable” locations across the country and would involve the Royal Army, the Gendarmerie Royale, the police forces and other security forces.

In mid-October, Moroccan authorities announced the arrest of a Moroccan man, with his two young French daughters, as he was about to join ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

Moroccan authorities said that more than 2,000 Moroccan jihadists, including those with dual nationality, are now fighting in Syria and Iraq.

Hassad added that the bolstered measures aim to protect both Moroccans and tourists who decide to come to Morocco.

Following the beheading in September of a French tourist in Algeria by jihadists, France urged its nationals to exercise vigilance in some 40 countries, mainly Muslim states in North Africa and Asia.

According to industry experts, the call affected travel to several countries and caused many travel plans cancellations in both Morocco and Tunisia.